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Alaska coach named 2016 Ripken Baseball Youth Coach of the Year

Ripken Baseball announced Alaska Quakes 12U head coach Len Story as the recipient of the 2016 Ripken Baseball Coach of the Year Tuesday.

“Youth baseball is about personal growth and learning about yourself and how to positively interact with others. As a coach, to be able to instill a high level of passion, enthusiasm and enjoyment in 12-year-old young men who are also creating lifelong friendships is a very rewarding experience,” said Story. “A big thank you to Ripken Baseball for their commitment, contribution and continued support to our nation’s youth by providing a model for teaching values that go far beyond the fundamentals of the game.”

Story began coaching in 1999 when his oldest son started playing baseball. He also coached his youngest son's All-Star team.

“We are so proud to name Coach Story as the 2016 Youth Coach of the Year. Len’s coaching style embodies what it means to do things ‘The Ripken Way,’ both on and off the field. His model behavior instills a love for the game and passion for learning that extends well beyond the diamond. We are thrilled that Coach Story was able to travel across the country to join us as we celebrate the impact he has made on his team and their families year round,” said John Bramlette, Ripken Baseball executive vice president of amateur baseball.

An Oregon native, Story grew up playing baseball. He was a key member of the 1979 Klamath Union High School Oregon State Championship baseball team that finished 30-4.

Coach Story will be presented with the award at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings Tuesday Dec. 6 in Washington D.C.